Valley View Farms FAQs
Does Valley View Farms
provide soil tests?
Yes, we do. Soil testing is a free service available in our
garden shop. Bring in a coffee can
sample of soil taken from the surface down to about 6 “. We will test it while
you wait or shop, to determine the pH of your soil. Optimum pH levels differ
for various plants. Our staff will make recommendations based on the results,
suggesting soil amendments as needed.
What hot peppers do
you carry?
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| Soil tests and plant diagnosis in our garden shop |
Valley View Farms carries over 35 peppers, with about 20 hot
peppers in the mix, including some of the hottest peppers in the world. Ancho,
Big Jim, Cayenne, Cherry Red Hot, Cubanelle, Garden Salsa, Hot Portugal,
Hungarian Yellow Wax, Jalapeno, Pepperoncini, Serrano, Super Chili, Tabasco,
and Thai Hot can be found in our pepper aisle from mid-April through May. In addition,
we have Trinidad Hot Peppers including Chocolate Congo, Purple Coffee, Orange
Explosion, Red Trinidad, Yellow Trinidad and Scorpion. We also carry both the
Red and Yellow Ghost Peppers. All of our peppers are grown from seed in our own
greenhouses in Hydes, MD and shipped daily to our store.
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| One of our Trinidad pepper plants out in the garden |
What rose varieties do
you carry?
Valley View Farms’ roses arrive in mid-April. We carry over
100 varieties. We won’t attempt to list each and every one. We do carry hybrid
tea, floribunda, multiflora, miniature, climbing and shrub roses. David Austin,
the popular Knockout, Drift, Star and Weeks are some of the brand names
available in our nursery. Our buyer, Alan Thomson, seeks out the best growers
in our region to sell in our nursery.
Do you sell fish and
pond supplies?
Yes. We added our water garden department over 20 years ago.
Stop in to see pond liners, pumps, filtration systems, fish, tadpoles, water
lilies, marginal plants and everything you need to create a pond in your
landscape. Our staff, including manager Tim McQuaid, is very knowledgeable.
They would love to share their expertise with water garden enthusiasts. Check
with them for pond services as well, including cleaning and installation.
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| Koi and other fish are available Spring, Summer and Fall |
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| Display pond in our water garden area |
We have a microscope attached to a computer monitor that
allows our customers and our garden shop staff the ability to see problem pests
and diseases up close. Our staff is trained in many Integrated Pest Management
practices and is able to provide accurate information to keep your garden
healthy. Stop by and talk with Brian Brannan, Ryan Gilmore, Scott Anderson, and
other personnel for any questions you may have.
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| Ryan using microscope to diagnose plant problem |
What perennials are
best suited for Central Maryland?
Our perennial manager, Andy Shelley, goes to area perennial
growers every week to identify the best plants for our gardens. With over a
thousand choices, our perennial sales people and our signs will help gardeners
decide which plants are best for their particular location. Scores of Hostas, Ferns,
Astilbes, Heucheras, and other plants are available for shady spots.
Echinaceas, Lilies, Peonies, Iris, Ornamental Grasses and other sun-loving
plants are also displayed. In addition, rock garden, groundcover and other
specialty perennials are featured in our perennial department.
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| Rudbeckia fulgida |
What plants and
flowers are best for attracting butterflies?
Butterflies are attracted to two types of plants, those that
they use as host plants and others that are attractive because of their nectar.
We have a wonderful handout naming many of the annuals, perennials, trees and
shrubs that fill this gardening niche. In addition, we have put a butterfly
garden in our water garden area. Asclepias, Lantana, Pentas, Echinacea, Parsley,
Agastache, Butterfly Bush and many, many other plants are attractive to
butterflies. In addition to our handout, Valley View Farms has a butterfly icon
on the many annual, perennial, herb and tree and shrub signs that are located
throughout our 10 acre property.
Do you sell native
plants?
Yes. Our native plants are displayed with other ornamental
perennials, trees and shrubs. We use the United States Department of Fish and
Wildlife Habitat and Conservation, Chesapeake Bay Watershed list
as our guide. A copy of the list is located in our perennial sales area. It is
also available to download at www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake
Which tomato plant do
I choose?
Good question! With over three dozen varieties to choose
from, making a decision to choose just one is tough. We carry old standards
like Rutgers and Big Boy, our all-round favorite, Celebrity, Cherry, Grape,
Plum, Pineapple and Plum types, and lots of heirloom varieties. Some do
fantastic in pots, others do best in the garden. Let us help you choose the one (bet you can’t
pick just one!), that will have the best taste, performance, disease resistance
or any other characteristic you’re looking for.
I love to entertain.
Do you carry outdoor furniture?
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| Our staff learns from the master---Billy Foard in his tomato garden |
Yes. Stop inside our store and see our patio department.
John Hessler purchases deep bench seating, bistro sets, large dining table and
chair sets, garden benches, hammocks, umbrellas, and accessories. Relatively
new is the conversation table with a propane fire pit, great for entertaining
outside in the evening. John has a large number of cushions, colors and styles
available and can also custom order for our customers.
When does your
fabulous Christmas Shop open?
Our Christmas Shop is usually completed by mid-October. We
start putting it up in late August, decorating each of the over 100 trees. Customers are welcome to browse through the
shop as we are setting it up.
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| Donna Steele talks about the Christmas Shop with WBAL TV |
